Fluent in Languages Around the World

REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 19, 2010 — When you see program manager Thomas Yong in the hallway at Microsoft, you never quite know exactly how he’ll respond. Fluent in many languages and dialects, including English, Chinese and Malay, Yong helps ensure that OEMs using Windows Embedded Standard 7 can include a wide variety of languages in their devices to reach the right consumers.

As you may already know, OEMs can utilize Windows Embedded Standard 7 to create differentiated experiences and enhanced connectivity on specialized devices, such as thin clients, digital signage and industrial controls for the enterprise, as well as set-top boxes, connected media devices and TVs for consumers. But what good are any of these specialized devices if people can’t understand them in their native language?

Due to the highly customizable nature of Windows Embedded Standard 7, OEMs can tailor what application, or in this case language, they want to use for their creations. Think about it as taking a foreign film you’ve heard about and seamlessly modifying it to be in a language that you understand.

“With Windows Embedded Standard 7, OEMs can easily choose what language they want and everything is automatically included to make that language work,” says Yong. “This is a great opportunity for OEMs to choose a language that’s most appealing to their audience, but also languages for emerging markets they want to target.”

Similar to Windows 7, Windows Embedded Standard 7 has several Language Interface Packs (LIPS) and Language Packs (LPs) developers can use as building blocks for their devices. Best of all, the language packs are independent from the rest of the device’s code — simply select one and all the needed vocabulary and proper grammar appear at the developer’s fingertips.

Windows Embedded Standard 7 currently supports 36 languages, including Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. Eventually, the goal is to support as many languages as possible, allowing OEMs to reach a larger audience than ever before.

Looking for more information on LIPS and LPs? Check out the Windows Embedded Standard 7 Technical Overview white paper and recent blog from the Windows Embedded team.